Commencing an Action & Service of Process Flashcards
Who do you file process with? and what happens when you file?
- file with the clerk of the court, aka the County Clerk
- filing must be accompanied by payment of a fee for the purchase of an index number
- filing of process is valid commencement (including interposes SoL) provided it is followed by proper service of process w/in 120 days of filing
If P has trouble serving w/in 120 days of filing, what can be done?
The ct has discretion, upon Ps MOTION, to extend the time for service if P can demonstrate EITHER:
1- a showing of good cause, OR
2- interests of justice
justifies an extension.
How does D challenge Ps untimely service?
D MUST raise the untimely service by motion to dismiss or answer. If D fails to raise the defense of untimely service it is waived.
Court’s Discretion to fix mistake in filing procedure
f π makes a mistake in the filing procedure, such as serving process before the filing of such process, or failing to purchase an index number, the court has discretion, upon π’s motion, to permit correction of the mistake provided Δ suffers no prejudice, the filing occurs within the S/L, and the filing fee is paid
- most often used when there was a mistake in the filing fee amount paid
- doesn’t apply to untimely filings
Summons & Complaint
The summons advises Δ that π is suing Δ in a particular court. The complaint is π’s pleading, which specifies the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the action and spells out the essential elements of π ‘s cause of action
Summons w/ Notice
- When the summons is not accompanied by a complaint, it must have sufficient “notice” inscribed on the face of the summons or on a one-page attachment
- Notice consists of: (i) brief statement of the nature of the action; (ii) prayer for relief; (iii) amount of money damages sought EXCEPT in PI or wrongful death action when you MUST NOT specify amount sought
What must be in the summons
- parties
- court
- indicate D is being sued
- say D has 20 or 30 days to answer the complaint (20 days if service by personal delivery, 30 if by different means in NY or by any method outside NY)
- warning that failure to answer could result in default
- name/address/phone of P attorney
- index number
Naked Summons
Defect in Personal Jurisdiction
When can you serve?
- Void if served on Sunday—in all circumstances, even if made in a jurisdiction that permits Sunday service
- Service on a Saturday is a misdeameanor if made “maliciously” on one who actually celebrates Saturday as the Sabbath, and caselaw permits the service to be invalidated on motion of that showing is made
- religious holiday/holy day is allowed unless it is shown that P chose that day maliciously
- service on national holidays allowed
Who can serve process? (A R N)
- 18
- resident of NY
- Non-party
Service on Natural Persons:
Personal Delivery to Defendant
- complete upon process server’s tender of summons directly to D
- if D refuses to accept the delivery of process you can leave it in his immediate vicinity
Service on Natural Persons:
Leave & Mail
1- Process server may deliver to a person of suitable age in discretion at: (i) Ds ACTUAL dwelling; OR (ii) Ds ACTUAL place of business and then 2- mailing a copy, 1st class regular mail, to D at D's actual place of business or last known residence.
- “personal and confidential” envelope w/ no indication that its from an attorney
- two steps must be performed w/in 20 days of each other in no particular order
- both steps must be performed w/in 120 days from filing
PROOF
- must be filed w/ the clerk w/in 20 days of last step & must ID the person of suitable age and the date/time/place
- SERVICE IS COMPLETE 10 DAYS AFTER FILING PROOF
Service on Natural Persons:
Affixing & Mailing (“Nail and mail”)
YOU MUST FIRST ATTEMPT PERSONAL SERVICE & LEAVE AND MAIL SERVICE!! [standard = due diligence, a fact-specific inquiry; usually if you have at least 3 failed and varied attempts you will have due diligence)
- Affixing = non-destructive manner of affixing
- server may affix process to the door of Ds actual dwelling place or actual place of business PLUS mail a copy by regular mail to D at Ds actual place of business or last known residence
- both steps must be performed w/in 20 days of each other and w/in 120 days of filing
PROOF
- filed w/ clerk w/in 20 days of last step & must ID due diligence
- SERVICE IS COMPLETE 10 DAYS AFTER FILING PROOF
Is it a jurisdictional defect if P fails to file proof of service for leave & mail or nail & mail?
NO– the only consequence is that it postpones the defendants time to respond b/c Ds response time runs from the date on which service is complete & service is complete 10 days after filing proof of service.
Service on Natural Persons:
Service as the court directs
If personal service, leave & mail, and nail & mail are not practicable, P can make an ex parte motion to the court for an order allowing an improvised EXPEDIENT method (aka some reasonable alternative appropriate in the circumstances)
- ex: service on Ds insurer; service on a family member or co-worker; e-mail; publication